Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson: Book Review

 **ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Can a tropical escape from holiday blues turn her Christmas into a snowy wonderland filled with joy and cheer?

Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, with a birthday on December 25 and too many dashed childhood expectations, the holiday season is something she would rather avoid. And working in the design industry where she manages seasonal decor for wealthy, entitled clients certainly hasn't helped!   

So, this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas--by herself--bah humbug! But bad weather and God's radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt's farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas--one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit.

Melody Carlson's Christmas novella delivers all the charm of a holiday Hallmark movie, is rooted in Christian faith, woven with sweet romance, and features A Christmas Carol themes.

The Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Book Review

Every year, I look forward to reading Melody Carlson's Christmas stories. They are always just the right amount of holiday cheer and heartwarming stories that I know are going to entertain. This one was no exception. With the holidays, so often comes with family drama--- and this one certainly brings that in. Carol has a strained relationship with her mother and with the Christmas season, but when her flight to the Bahamas gets cancelled, she unexpectedly finds herself spending the holidays with her mother's estranged sister- the aunt she'd never met. This was a story that, while it had its family drama, also had a beautiful story of growth, healing and family too. It was a super cozy story that is just perfect for the holiday season--- with just the type of Hallmark-like vibes I always enjoy. If you're looking for a heartwarming Christmas read, this is one to add to your TBR! 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/3G020GM